三権分立

• Reading: さんけんぶんりつ
• Romaji: sanken bunritsu
• Kanji breakdown: 三 (san) — three; 権 (ken) — power, authority; 分 (bun) — divide; 立 (ritsu) — stand, establish
• Pronunciation: /sa.ŋ.ke.ɴ.bɯ.ɴ.ɾi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial). The constitutional principle that government authority is divided among three independent branches.

A foundational principle of modern constitutional government, 三権分立 refers to the division of state power into the legislature (立法), executive (行政), and judiciary (司法). Japan's postwar constitution enshrines this principle to prevent concentration of power. A compound noun formed from 三権 (three powers) and 分立 (separate standing).

Examples

1. 三権分立は民主主義の根幹をなす原則だ。 The separation of powers is the foundational principle of democracy.
2. 憲法の授業で三権分立の仕組みを詳しく学んだ。 We studied the workings of the separation of powers in detail during constitutional class.
3. 三権分立が機能しなければ、権力の乱用を防ぐことはできない。 Without a functioning separation of powers, it is impossible to prevent the abuse of authority.

Usage Guide

Context: constitutional law, civics education, political theory

Tone: academic

Origin & History

A Japanese rendering of Montesquieu's doctrine of separation of powers, adopted into constitutional vocabulary during the Meiji era. 三 (three) + 権 (power/authority) + 分立 (separate/standing apart).

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Students and adults

Social background: Universal (taught in schools)